Chicago, IL - Schroeder, et al. v. Treto, Jr. centers on Illinois law known as Senate Bill 1564, passed a decade ago that amended the state's Health Care Right of Conscience Act in a manner that would require pro-life physicians and pregnancy centers to discuss the "benefits" of abortion and refer clients to abortion providers upon request—or lose their conscience protections.

WHO: Thomas More Society and Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys and clients

‍WHAT: Press conference following oral argument in Schroeder v. Treto, Jr.

‍WHEN: Friday, April 10, 2026 | 9:30 – 10:00 a.m. (CT)

‍WHERE: U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, Everett McKinley Dirksen United States Courthouse | 219 S. Dearborn St., Chicago, IL 60604 | Courtroom: 2217

Thomas More Society filed suit in March 2017 on behalf of pro-life pregnancy centers and a pro-life physician, alongside a companion case represented by Alliance Defending Freedom, arguing the law unconstitutionally compels speech and violates their religious and moral convictions.

Following a bench trial, a federal judge issued a split ruling in April 2025, striking down the mandate to discuss abortion’s alleged "benefits" as unconstitutional compelled speech, but upholding the abortion referral mandate. Thomas More Society appealed the referral mandate to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, and the referral mandate has remained paused pending appeal. The State has cross-appealed, seeking to reinstate the compelled speech provision of the law.

"Illinois has spent nearly a decade trying to force pro-life doctors and pregnancy centers to do its bidding for the abortion industry. The Seventh Circuit now has the opportunity to make clear that the Constitution does not permit the state to conscript healthcare providers into a cause that violates their deepest convictions." — Patrick Gillen, Senior Counsel at Thomas More Society

“No one should be forced to express a message that violates their convictions, and compelling people to refer others for abortions does that. The U.S. Supreme Court held in NIFLA v. Becerra that forcing people to promote abortion is unconstitutional.” — Erin Hawley, Of Counsel at Alliance Defending Freedom

"Being forced to hand a patient a referral for abortion would betray our mission and the women we serve. We're grateful this fight is still being fought, and we're hopeful the court will protect the conscience rights of providers like us." — Judy Cocks, Executive Director, 1st Way Life Center and Thomas More Society Plaintiff

‍

To schedule an interview, contact Katie Clancy at (312) 264-5602.